I went to see the Banff Mountain Film Festival today. It was amazing! Well worth going to see. It's basically these short film created around mountains. From extreme sports to moving short films. My favourite was called "Tashi and the Monk." It was about a little orphan girl named Tashi who lived at this orphanage in the hills of the Himalayas run by a Buddhist monk. It showed you her journey from a disturbed naughty girl. Her mother died, her father was a severe alcoholic and she would get into fights. She was emotionally broken. This monk was helping to give her and the other children the skills to be good citizens. It really was a moving story. So much so it got me thinking -what an amazing experience it would be to perhaps go over there one summer and help teach the children at the orphanage. I voted for this film on the Banff website. I do hope the film will encourage people to donate to this orphanage. If you want to check out the trailer to the film you just need to search Tashi and the Monk or book up to go see the Festival as it tours across the world.

I went to see this show a few weeks ago and I have to say it is one of the best musicals. It is well worth going to see. Amazing songs, fantastic props and gorgeous costumes. I would love to be one of the dancers on that show in the Emerald city scene.

Well my big brother is going to be 40 in October and he is going over to NYC to celebrate (Jealous Much). So I've been thinking of giving him a gift related to that. I was thinking on the lines of booking a meal for him and his wife at a really nice restaurant. Would be great to go for somewhere amazing that has a spectacular view. Something really special. Any recommendations? Or if not that any experiences days or tours you recommend.? I know there are loads of websites related to this but it is better getting the opinion of locals.Budget wise as I'm just a teacher- £200 so think that's around $300. Well according to google.

The other week I took part in this run called- Colour Me RAD. Basicially the run involved being sprayed with powdered colour so by the end of the run you are a bit like a rainbow. I have to say it was a good laugh and all for a good cause.

I also got nominated for the ice bucket challenge which I completed earlier this week. I now have the cold. Boo!

Every time I look at the news lately I keep asking myself what is happening to this world. Seems like humanity is falling apart. So much violence and destruction and for what gain? I really do feel sorry for the innocent people caught up in all this mess. Makes you realise how lucky we really are. The troubles we have home in the UK or in the USA are nothing in comparison to what others have to deal with. Puts things into perspective.

So I was at my school the other day to do a bit of organisation before the term starts up again. I heard some sad news that the benches in the playground even those welded down were stolen. The games vandalised, plants pulled up. I dread to think what they have done to the pots and plants planted by the kids gardening club. Most likely smashed to pieces.

It is just so sad. The kids playground will be empty and bare once again. I just can't understand why people would want to destroy something nice within their own community. The children suffer at the end of the day.

So it will be back to fundraising again for equipment. Back to hard work to restore it all again.

So this weekend my big brother will be getting married in Sweden. Very excited! I'm looking forward to meeting my extended family. It's a sign of growing up all this marriage business. Time needs to slow down just a little bit

I was just watching this Ross Kemp documentary about witchcraft in Africa and it was truly shocking. In a specific area in Kenya there is a high number of Albinos and they are being targeted for medicine. Body parts or the whole body. It is just awful. There was this teenage girl without an arm recovering but in fear of returning home in case she is attacked again.

We complain about things in our every day lives but it make our issues so trivial when you think about people living in fear like that. The problem is in Kenya, little is being done as witchcraft is believed by so many. Even those right at the top who can afford such awful medicines.

I thought I'd post this in a blog as you never know who might read this. Maybe someone who has connections or the ability to make this issue known more widely. Maybe someone who can help. A massive task but we have to start somewhere...

I caught a glimpse of an advert on tv about a show where a group of American girls are competing to date Prince Harry. At first I was like Nooooo Way!!!! How would the Royal family ever let that happen? How could Prince Harry stoop so low to go on a show like that?

However, the reality- It wasn't Prince Harry, just a guy who looked liked him and the show has tricked the girls making them believe he is Prince Harry.

Such a sad story about the 200 Nigerian school girls. They were trying to make a better life for themselves by going to school and getting an Education. Then this backward thinking group Boko Haram have kidnapped them and are now threatening to sell them. Beyond appalling! I really hope we are able to bring the girls back safe and well.

I was looking at a friends post on FB. Research had been carried out on the impact a name could have on a child's success in life. For instance they had names of people who attended Oxford University between 2008-2013. Names such as Eleanor, Anna, Peter and Simon were more common there than names such as Paige, Shannon and Reece.

However, like all studies I believe there to be more factors at play here.

I have been following this story quite a bit. Seems shocking that a plane could just vanish and be so difficult to locate. The search teams are now going to be sending subs down to find the plane with the black box signal becoming weaker. I really do hope they manage to find the plane. Must be so awful for all those families out there.

I am approaching the big 30 sadly this year. It feels strange as I still feel so young. I also feel like more is expected from you at 30. My life plan was for my 20's to be about travel, education and my career which I have done. So the next stage in my life is to find my true love, get married and have three kids. haha Scary thought! I definitely want that though and now I realise I've got to get my act together and do something about it.

I had been dating a lovely guy recently but due to family reasons he had to move away which has made me realise how much I enjoy having a partner in crime.r So my search continues...

I used to be a member of a union when I first went into teaching but when I couldn't find work, I cancelled my membership. Despite having worked the last 2 years I've not got round to signing up again until today.

Today was a huge wake up call!!!

I can't obviously go into too many details but an allegation had been made against this lovely, great teacher who is due to retire this year. I have no doubt in mind that she has done anything wrong. I can't really comment any further on the matter.

So it put the fear of god into me this whole situation. Someone could say something. It's your word against there's and your whole career and reputation is torn down. So I signed up to a union tonight.

I can't imagine how that poor teacher must be feeling. To be told she had to leave and report to a police station. She must be distraught. She is such a kind and lovely woman. A really great teacher. Its such a shame her career is ending on this sour note.

It makes me realise as much as I love working with children, teaching lessons, things like this make you wonder how safe the profession is. I think if something like that happened to me, I'd leave and work with animals.

So I am currently training for my 10 mile Edinburgh Bupa Great Run on the 27th April. I am running for the charity Pancreatic Cancer UK as it is a very important charity to me after loosing my dad. So if you would like to sponsor me just let me know and I shall send the link to my just giving page. Donations can be anonymous and every little helps.